Katherine and Mark very kindly volunteered to model maternity images for me last month and I'm so glad that they did. My maternity sessions to date have mostly been studio based, but for a while now I have been dreaming of the great outdoors. I had a book full of new concepts which I imagined could take my maternity offering to the next level. This was my opportunity to put these concepts to the test. We met at Auckland Botanical Gardens in Manurewa early one evening and shot until the sun dropped below the horizon - the results are breath-taking. It all came together better than I could have ever imagined. Below is a sample of the gallery presented. I'm sure you'll agree that she looks amazing.

If you are pregnant, but sitting on the fence when it comes to having maternity portraits taken, then I whole-heartedly encourage you to get in touch. Typically mum's-to-be are worried about hormone spots, stretch marks, their 'kankles' and the weight they have put on. But trust me when I say that these are all very normal and easy to work around. Leave it to me to make you look your very best. I overcome these issues by posing you correctly and amongst other things, by ensuring I photograph you at angles that are flattering to the female form - I consider myself a master at that.

Of course, it's not just about getting the right angles, it's a combination of things I have learnt over time which I now put in place at every session, to ensure we get spectacular results. It's about selecting the perfect timing for your session to ensure the light is soft and even. It's about selecting a wardrobe that compliments your best features. It's about using a professional only-portrait lens (I typically shoot between 100-200mm at a very low aperture, giving you dreamy, blurred backdrops and creamy skin). And it's about the take I allow when post processing the images - crafting each individually to enhance colours, to highlighting the areas we want the eye to go to, whilst minimising those that we want to disguise (retouching out stretch marks and hormone spots is all part of it).

Perhaps it may also help sway you over to maternity photography if I put it this way. You have nothing to loose. You will gain some beautiful professional portraits in your most female form (and of you with your partner if he is willing), and you'll walk away with a new perspective on just how beautiful and magical your body is. It's also probably helpful to know that I have a small range of maternity dresses that are both feminine and flattering for you to select from (the ones shown below are from sewtrendyaccessories.com and Mii-Estilo) in a range of tones and sizes to suit. So there really is no need to worry about what you'll wear, I have that covered.

Use the contact form on this website to get in touch. Maternity sessions are best done at around 35-36 weeks and best booked when you are about 28 weeks, to ensure you don't miss out. ​

Author

I am Katrina Matthews, the artist behind the images on this site and the author of this blog.

After a recent move back to NZ & Auckland, I am busy re-establishing my business in the Karaka/Drury area.

I specialise in families of all ages and stages. I just love the outdoors at sunset for both maternity and family portraits. The light is flattering, the skies beautiful and I find families tend to come alive at this time, resulting in natural, playful images. Not to mention the endless setting options, from client's own farms or lifestyle properties, to parks and public beaches. Uniquely your own.

Since our move back to Auckland I have been making the most of the outdoors and the summer weather, focusing on my families and maternity offerings, but I'm equally excited about opening my home studio as autumn approaches, so I can start to welcome newborns and under 1s back.

If you would like further information on my portrait sessions, simply get in touch via the contact form on this site, or email me directly at info@katrinamatthews.com